Sod-cutting machine



March 26, 1929. J.' c'. WATSON SOD CUTTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed'. Nov. 21. '1927 y INVENlroR: waxy/ ma,

March 261929. .1. c.fwATsoN SOD CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov`. 2l, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORZ 11756/1771/ Wasoz, BY y ATTORNEY J. C. WATSON soD CUTTING MACHINE March 26, A1929.

Filed Nov. 21, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet NS/ENTORQ Yrw'epb Watson, B

@fd/M ATTORNEYA lil'atented lidar, 26, 1929.

UNITED STATES JOSEFH C. WATSON, OF ?HILADE1PHIA, BENNSYLVANIA.

SOD-CUTTING- MACHINE.

Application iled `November This invention relates to machines or devices for cutting and peelinggrass-sod for use in landscape gardening and so forth, and it has for an object the provision of a mobile sod-cutter adapted for dra-ft by a tractor. n

Another object is the provision of a sod- `cutting machine which is adapted to not only continuously cut sod of predetermined di- 1o in uisions, but one which will concurrently completely sever the same from the ground ready for manual stacking, or elevation into an appropriate transporting means;

fi further aim of this invention is the provision of a machine of the typiiied character incorporating means whereby the respective cutter devices'are individually ad justable, while clogging of such cutters 1s prevented by novel means.

il s ll further object of my invention is the provision of a sod-cutting machine which can be readily moved to and from its place of operation, without recourse to the use of a transporting vehicle such as a Vtruck or the o lille.

@ther objects and advantages of my inven tion will be apparent as it is better under-` stood from the following description, y ch when considered in conjunction with the ac- 0 ompanying drawings fully explain praetical embodiments` thereof, whereas the appended claims serve to define those features deemed patentable.`

in the drawings:

machine embodying the present improve ments.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section ofv the same in operative position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine in position for transportation, or in the out of use position.

Fig t is a lateral section taken approxi- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a sod cutting 21, 19.27. Serial No. 234,699.

characters of reference designate the same or correspondingparts in all 'the views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings my novel sod cutting machine comprises relatively heavy side sills or beams v 9, of suitable section, which are rigidly sustained in parallel by front and rear crossj ties 10, 11, respectively, thus providing a substantial frame for housing and supporting the various cutting implements, traction wheelsand draft mechanism. Incidentally, 4the rear cross tie 11 may be reinforced by a clamping strap 12, in an obvious manner, to prevent lateral disruption. j

{Journaled for free rotation on a trans verseshaft 13 in the forward part of the machine is a roller 14 which serves to flatten down the sod to be cut so that, as severed, it is of a uniform thickness; and, in addition said roller functions to crush any unevenness `in the growth of the grass being cut whichmight create clogging matter.

Rearwardly of the roller 14 is a removable shaft 15 on which I freely journal discous rotary cutters 16-with interposition of spacers 1PZ-which serve to el'lect the longitudinalcutting of the sod s; Fig. 5. It will be readily understood thatby use of spacers 17 of different lengths the width of the sod s cut may be varied within the conlines of `the machine side sills 9; whereas, by withdrawing the shaft 15 the several cutters 1G can be easily removed for grinding, or re- .newaljV whenever necessary.

Located to the rear ofthe cutters just described is a roller 18 of substantial diameter which is j ournaled'in `spring influenced bearing blocks 19, and adapted for vertical movement under guidance of upwardly directed rods 20 engaging through apertured plates 21 removably secured to the upper faces of 'the side sills 9, while lateral displacement of said bearing is prevented by cap plates 22. These plates 21, 22 ointly .serve to house the bearing blocks 19 in suitable recesses in the side sills 9, whereby they are effectively protected from fouling or clogging, as well asA providing for the same being kept adequately lubricated with suitable grease. The roller 18 is also fitted with` longitudinally directed and equally spaced angle-section cutters 23 securely held in place by screws 2li- Fig 8. Particular attention is here directedto the fact that the cutters 23, which form.` the transverse cutting ofthe sod, are

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idisposed slightly spiral'relat-ive to the axis of the roller 18 so that in. operation. they effect aslightlyrolling cutgin contradistinction to what may be conveniently ter'med a directly thrustingu@ -whereby undue strains on the bearing springs 1s minimized.

' Furthermore byv making the cutters -23 Vof theV section Vshown .they are renderedV reversible, and by bedding` the rsame-in grooves in the roller 1,7 they are effectively preg v'vented from "displacement, while the cutting 'Yeclgenot in lactual use y1s protected trom damage;

" slicing cutter 2G", it is to be"remarkedfisi'provided with verticallydirected flanges 27 having Aslotsh28"therein", whereby said cutter is rigidly clamped jintermediate :the side sills 9 by appropriate lock" screws or bolt-s 29 at the requisitexde'pth below `the bottom-of the said'sills, to cut sod of the desired'thickness.

' Attention is also drawn tothe 4profile of the j slicinglcutter 26, the same being formed with `opposedly'fdirected. obtuse cutting edges lO with'thei'angular points coinciding with thek l, median etti-ie machine,wherebyftlie work is more 'effectively carried out, and 4lateral irregularities' avoided; It is further to be remarked that. the. lower edgesof the flanges 2,7 are sharpened'at'l*"to constitute trim- ,mingy blatles,wvhi1e in advance ofV the cutter 2 6, ateac-h side of ythe' machine .I attachant inwardly converging deiectoror l finger member l32that Afunctions to move thel crass blades inwardsi away from the cutting edges 30,81 with' incidental avoidance ofl clogl at said-regions. 4o

V,and between the` side sills 9 I appropriately ,Tiansverselya th baclcof the maCllivle mount .aslplate platform 7?, havingf a `forwardly-directed downwardlydnclined apron 13??, Whichengages the-slicing cutter 26,'and t serves to elevate-the-severedv sod units 8 onto Q1 .said 'pla'ttormf3,2, for manual, or automatic,

' 'l removalfasy lateron explained;

Mobile transportationfof my improved sod Y. Cutter j S- provided orjthrouglr ,the i medium of. forwardand rear fyolie `members 35,

u respectively,v suitablypi-voted to the cross- Shafts or transverse tie-.rods g wand connectedforsimultaneous movement by link The front yoke member 34 is fitted at 74Vits tree ends withV `caster .or y swiveling i ground wiieels` Arltoi` accommodate turning. motions ofthey macliine;wliile the rearlyoke 35. `is

, formedvwithiforkends 39-journalling freely :retatabieegreund Wheels 450,; adapted when the-ifmachine is :use for. Sed .cutting to v snugly-seat-inpeckets 41, provided for their ,reception imthe outer'sides of the side sills ,9.-1-V FIQXH Figs.. 2-and 3j, :itfwill be clearly -35r n cur-ved so that when theemaehme 1s eleseen .that-'the yokes 3.4,- 35, are somewhat Y'members of the frame 45.

vated-as shown in the latter view-the back ground wheels 40 are moved rearwardly ot' -the pivotal center of the yoke 35 below the side sills 9; while the castor or swivel wheels 3S are-located for tree steering action. Rocking of the yoke members 34, 35 is Yetli'ected by means of an operating` bar 42 pivoted to the former, while draft for the machine is afforded by means ot a frame structure a3 provided medially with a coupler hook Lil, to which a tractor draft bar-for example-may be readily attached.

Referring now, more particularly, to Fi 6 and 7, it will be observed that the form of my sod cutting machine therein illustrated-is in the main-similar to that hereinbefore described. Accordingly, similar characters of Ireference are applied thereto, and only those differing parts needing crplanation will now be described. The essential diii'erence however resides in the provision of the machine with a carrying cquipagc comprising a frame 45, of standard section material, havingdepending bearings 46 in which the ground wheels 3S, @t0-of relatively larger diameter-are appropriately journaled. Guidance of the sod cutter proper verticaliy relative to the frame Ai5 is afforded by rods or stanchions 47 engaging in holes 48 bored through the side lsills 9. Raising and loweringI of the sod cutter is effected through the medium of stirrups 49, secured to the side sills 9, with attached cables 50 secured to winding drums 5l journaled in bearings 52, mounted on the cross These winding drums are co-ordinated for co-operative operation by means of gears 54, and miler couples, 5G under actuation of a common operating shaft 57 fitted at its forward end witha hand crank 58, while a suitable trip dog 59 engages a ratchet 60 to prevent; bach motion. In addition to the foregoing, this type of my machine may be fitted with a .conveyor attachment 6l, in lieu of the platform 7) hereinbetore described, whereby the cut sod may be elevated into a following truck and thereby dispense with much manual labor, with incidental saving of time and labor` A The operation ofniy sod cutting machine when drawn along by a tractor-or other means-is as follows:-

Thc. discous cutters 16 will ettect longitudinal cleavage of the grass sod, Atoilowed by transverse cutting into the units s through uthemedium oi the roll cutter 1S, after which slicingor undorcutting is etl'ectcd by the plate blade, 26; and final elevation onto the platform A7) or conveyor 61. by theY apron 33. I Ot course the construction and arrangement of the machine may be modilied in accordance with size and form of sods it desired to cut, therefore I do not desire to limit myself rto the precise details described leo llt)

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and shown, as minor changes may he made without departing from the essential features as defined by the subjoined claims.

Having thus dcscrihed my invention what l claim, is:-

l. A sod-cutting machine comprising a wheeled frame, a roller journaled forwardly' therein having its surface co-planar wits the lower edges ofsaid frame, discous cutters journaled in the frame for effecting longitudinal cutting, a roller to the rear thereof having reversible cuttersadapted to sever the sod transversely, a reversible plate cutter supported in the frame rearwardly of the transverse cutter, a receiving platform at the back of the frame with means for elevating cut sod thereon, and means for raising and lowering the frame relative to the wheel hase.

2. A sod-cutting machine comprising a frame, a surface roller journaled forwardly therein, discous cutters freely journaled in the frame for effecting longitudinal cuts with capacity for special variatiom a roller to the rear thereof having reversible anglesection cutti` for severing the sod transversely, a reversible plate cutter supported in the frame rearwardly of the transverse roller cutter, a` receiving platform having an. inclined apron cooperative with the plate cutter to elevate the cut sod. units for removal from the machine, overshot yolres pivoted to the frame aforesaid having supporting wheels jeurnaled at theirfree ends, and means co-ordinating said yoles for simultaneous movement to raise and lower the frame for the purposes speciiied.

3. A sod-cutting machine comprising a fra1ne,a surface roller journaled forwardly therein, discous cutters freely joui-nailed in the frame for effecting longitudinal cuts with capacity for special variation, a roller to the rear thereof having reversible anglesection cutters fer severing the sed transversely, said roller being journaled in spring influenced hearings with capacity for vertilal movement, a reversible plate cutter supported in the frame rearwardly of the transverse roller cutter, a receiving platform having an inclined apron cooperative with the plate cutter to elevate the eut sod units for removal from 'the machine, over-shot yolres pivoted to the frame aforesaid hzwing` supporting wheels journaled at their free ends, and means cri-ordinating said yolies for simultaneous movement to rais and lower the frame for the purposes specified.

Ll. il sod-cutting machine comprisinga frame, a. surface roller journaled forwardly therein, discous cutters freely `journaled in the frame for effecting longitudinal cuts with capacity for special variation, a roller to the rear thereof having reversible anglesection cutters for `severing the sod, transversely, said roller being journaled in hearings housed in the frame under spring compression and the angle-section cutters dis-- posed slightly spiral relative to the axis of the roller, a reversible plate cutter supported in the frame rearwardly of the transverse roller cutter, a receiving i' latform having an inclined apron cooperative with the plate cutter to elevate' the cut sod units for removal from the machine, over-shot yolres pivotcd to the frame aforesaid having supporting wheels journaled at their free ends, and means co-ordinating said yokes for simultaneous movement to raise and lower the frame for the purposes speciiied.

A sod-cutting machine comprising a frame, a surface roller journaled'forwardly therein, discous cutters freely journaled in the fra-me for effecting parallel longitudinal cuts and spacers controlling the di "ance intervening said cuts, a spring inthienced roller to the rear thereof having slightly spiralized angle-section reversible cutters adapted to sever the sod transversely, a reversible plate cutter supported in the frame rearwardly of the transverse roller cutter, said plate cutter being vertically adjustable and having opposedly directed obtuse-angled lenire edges merging into longitudinal cutting edges, a receiving platform and inclinedapron for elevating the cut sod units from the plate cutter for removal from the machine, front and rear overshot yoles pivotcd to the frame with freely journaled supporting wheels at their free ends, means coordinating said yoke. for simultaneous movementto raise and lower the frame relative to ground level, and draft means whereby the machine may he operated or transported from place to place. i

G. A; sod-cutting machine comprising a frame, a surface roller journaled forwardly therein, discous cutters freely journaled in the frame for effecting parallel. longitiulinal cuts and spacers controlling the distance intervening said cuts, a. spring influenced roller to the rear thereof having slightly spiralized angle-section reversible cutters adapted to sever the sod. transversely, a reversihle plate cutter supported in the frame rearnardlyof the transverse r ller cutter, said plate cutter being vertically adjustable and having opposedly directed obtuse-angled lrnife edges merging into longitudinal cutting edges, a receiving ljilatform and inclined apron for elevating the cutsod units from the plate cutter for removal from the machine, front and rear overshot yokes pivoted to the frame, steering and supporting wheels `freely `iournaled at the free ends of said yolrcs with the latter adapted to seat in pockets in the frame when not in use, and means cri-ordinating said yolres for simultaneous movement to raise and lower the frame relative to the ground level, for the purposes specified A 7. A. sodleutt-ing vmachine 'comprising a fframe,1a. surface roller journaled forwardly therein,discouscutters freely journaled in the frame Vfor effecting Iparallel longitudinal .cuts andlsp'aeers eontrolling the distance inl tervening-said euts,a spring influenced roller to the rearthereofhaving-slightly spiralized angle-section reversible cutters adapt ed to sever'the sod transversely, a reversible vplate 'cutter Vsupportedin the frame rearwardly of the transverse roller cutter, 'aid plate cutter being vertically adjustable and having opposedl-y directed obtuse-angled knife edges merging into longitudinal cutting'edges,-a-receiving platform and inclined apron for elevating the cut sedV units from the pla-te cut-ter for removal from the machine, inwardlyconverging fingers cooperajournaled'at the free ends ofsaid yolcs with A the latter/adaptedto lseat'in pockets in the frame when 'not in use, and'means co-ordi natingfsaid yokes for simultaneous move- Vment to raise andjlower the frame relative 'S'. Ina sod cutting'n'iachine of the type described, cut-ting means comprising discous members jou'rnaled for effecting longitudinal cutting, a roller having reversible cut- Vter-sardapted tov sever the sod transversely,

Yand an 'adjustable 'reversible Slicer adapted lto'luider-,cut thesod.l

9. In a sod Acutting machine of the type described, cutting` means 'comprising' disceus members journale'd for 'effecting longitudib, ay roller having reversible cutters adapted to sever the sod transversely, and a vertically adjustablereversibleslicer ground level, `r'for the purposes speci-` with opposcdl-yedirccted obtuse-angled knife edges adapted to under-cut the sod.

l0. In a sod cutting;r machine of the type described, cutting means comprising discous members journaled for effecting longitudinal cutting, a roller having,T reversible cutters adapted to sever the sod transversely, anda vertically adjustable reversible sliccr with opposedly-dircctcd obtuse-angled knife edges merging into longitudinal cutting portions for under-cutting the sod.

ll. Ina. sed'cutting machine of the type deseribed,cutting means comprising discous members journaled for effecting longitudi` nal cutting, a roller havingr reversible cutters adapted to sever the sod. transversely, a

vertically adjustable reversible slicer with opposedly-directed obtuse-angled knife edges merging into longitudinal cuttingr portions fornnder-cutting the sod, and inwardly con vergmgfingers eo-opcrative with the sheer vknife edges to prevent clogging ot the cut sod.

l2. In a sod cuttinv machine of the type dcscribed,cutting means comprising discous members journaled for effecting longitudilnal cutting, a roller having reversible cutters adapted to sever the sod transversely, a vertically adjusted reversible sliccr with opposedly-directed obtuse-angled knife edges merging into longitudinal cutting portions for under-cutting the sod, inwardly converging fingers co-'operative with the slicer knife vedgesto preifentfcloggingof the eut sod with JOSEPH C. V'ISON. 

